A global survey across 36 countries has revealed significant differences in public perceptions of India, with Sri Lanka recording the highest favourable rating at 79%. The United Kingdom and Kenya followed with 71% each, while Germany recorded 63%. Israel stood at 60%, and Italy at 56%. Sweden, Japan and Thailand each registered 55% favourable views. The findings indicate strong goodwill towards India across parts of Europe, Asia and Africa, attributed to factors including trade, investment, cultural ties, strategic cooperation, education and diaspora connections. Pakistan recorded the lowest favourable rating at just 7%, highlighting the impact of longstanding political tensions and security disputes. The survey underscores India’s varied global image across the 36 countries studied. (PC: AFP)

Indian-origin Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang, 28, has become the first Sikh to graduate as a fighter pilot in Britain’s Royal Air Force since World War II. Dang graduated during a fast-jet pilot ceremony at RAF Valley in North Wales on August 14. The RAF said he was the first Sikh trainee to graduate on the Texan aircraft at 4 Flying Training School under the UK Military Flying Training System. The milestone marks the first time since World War II that a Sikh has attained fighter wings from a fighter squadron in the RAF, according to The Indian Express. However, the RAF clarified that Dang was not the first Sikh to graduate from Basic Flying Training. (PC: X)

Bangladesh has linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India with its demand for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said talks between Dhaka and New Delhi had been ongoing for weeks. However, the process was affected by Hasina’s press interaction in New Delhi on August 5. Bangladesh wants India to act on its extradition request and hand over other fugitives. Dhaka also wants India to hand over people accused of killing Sharif Osman Hadi. Karim said a “propitious environment” was needed for Rahman’s visit. Bangladesh is now waiting for India’s response to its requests under the bilateral extradition treaty.

Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang, 28, has made history in Britain’s Royal Air Force. The Indian-origin pilot is the first Sikh to graduate as an RAF fighter pilot since World War II, according to the RAF. Dang was born in Chandigarh and moved to the UK when he was six. His family has roots in Ludhiana and Amritsar. He graduated from the University of Bristol and joined RAF training in 2022. He passed his wings test in July 2026 after training in the UK and Texas. Dang said he hopes his achievement inspires others and that he does not want to be the last.

Bangladesh has linked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to India with its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shahidul Karim said officials from both countries had discussed the visit for several weeks, but the process was affected by Hasina’s August 5 press interaction in New Delhi. Dhaka said a “propitious environment” must be created before the visit can proceed. Bangladesh has asked India to act on requests to extradite Hasina and other fugitives, and hand over suspects accused in the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Dhaka is awaiting New Delhi’s response.  

India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in the New York tri-state area featured a Guinness World Record in New Jersey and a parade attended by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. At Veterans Memorial Park in Parsippany, more than 1,300 US flags were arranged to form “250”, marking America’s 250th anniversary, with Indian tricolours surrounding the display. The event was organised by the Indian Consulate in New York and the Federation of Indian Associations. Mamdani attended the Queens India Day Parade in Floral Park, calling it an experience he would never forget and praising the Indian diaspora’s contribution to New York City and its diverse communities. (PC: HT, X)

Indian-origin CEO Vishal Garg, who became infamous for firing about 900 employees on a Zoom call in 2021, has been removed from Better Home & Finance. Garg was ousted as CEO on August 3, with hedge fund manager Daniel Lewis taking over. Garg claims Lewis gained his trust before helping remove him from the company. Better once had a valuation of around $8 billion, but its value has since fallen to about $300 million. Garg says the company was nearing a turnaround using AI and new partnerships. He is now seeking to return as CEO and has hired lawyer Alex Spiro.

A US-based Indian AI engineer, Prayut Jain, has alleged that he was fired after returning to India to care for his critically ill father. Jain said he flew home on July 12 after his father developed severe pneumonia and was put on a ventilator. He was informed of his termination over a call on July 30. Jain said he was working remotely while caring for his father. He was also on an H-1B visa and claims the firing affected his US immigration status. His first major equity vesting milestone was due in October. He said the timing left him without the expected equity.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong attended India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi on August 15. He congratulated India on the occasion, posting, “Warm congratulations to India on the 80th anniversary of independence!” on X. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Beijing held its own Independence Day ceremony despite rainy weather, with Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami hoisting the Tricolour and reading excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s address. The celebrations also included recognition of cultural and quiz competition winners. The diplomatic participation highlighted international goodwill and people-to-people ties surrounding India’s Independence Day. (PC: X)

India on Friday reaffirmed its “longstanding ties” with Afghanistan and the Afghan people, days before the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has maintained several engagements with Afghanistan over the past year, including multiple ministerial visits to India. He said these interactions have strengthened partnerships in areas including development cooperation, trade and connectivity. Jaiswal’s remarks underline New Delhi’s continued engagement with Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The statement comes amid India’s efforts to maintain diplomatic and economic links with Afghanistan while focusing on development assistance, regional connectivity and trade relations.